Bombardier wins order for 39 additional FLEXITY Berlin trams

7th Jul 2012

At the end of June, the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG) ordered an additional 39 BOMBARDIER FLEXITY Berlin trams from Bombardier Transportation. The call-off is part of a framework agreement for a maximum of 206 vehicles signed in 2006. The order is valued at approximately 134 million euro ($168 million US). The total number of FLEXITY Berlin low-floor trams ordered now stands at 142. BVG originally ordered four pre-series vehicles for testing followed by 99 trams in 2009. Delivery of the additional trams is expected to start in 2016.

With this new option, BVG has ordered a higher proportion of longer trams than before to meet rising demand. The FLEXITY Berlin fleet now includes 38 long uni-directional vehicles, 53 short and 47 long bi-directional vehicles.

Bombardier presented the first series production vehicle to the Berlin public on September 10, 2011 at Alexanderplatz in the city centre. The delivery of all FLEXITY Berlin trams ordered to date is scheduled to be complete by 2017. With the deployment of low-floor GT6 series vehicles and the phasing-out of Tatra high-floor vehicles, Berlin will be well prepared for future public transport requirements including easy access for passengers with limited mobility.

Klaus-Dietrich Matschke, Executive Director for trams at BVG said: “With this order of 138 vehicles, BVG is responding to a positive increase in passenger numbers and growing its capacity for the future. Furthermore, bi-directional vehicles provide the strategic option of removing track loops for turning, which would mean an improvement to the look and feel of tram stops. This order ensures that the old Tatra trams will be made redundant by the year 2017.“

Germar Wacker, President Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation said: “The call-off of another 39 vehicles by the BVG is yet another milestone in our long and successful cooperation. We are delighted that the vehicles are well received by the Berlin public. The trams featuring a ‘Bauhaus’ design were specifically created for the German capital and have already received the IF Design Award and the Universal Design and Consumer Favorite award.”

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The concept of the FLEXITY Berlin tram was developed jointly by BVG and Bombardier to meet the requirements of the German capital. This has resulted in a future-oriented tram with step-less entrances that provide 100% barrier-free tram access. The interior offers ample space for passengers with multi-purpose areas and air conditioning both in the passenger area and in the driver’s cab. The vehicles boast low electricity consumption and feed braking energy back into the system.

Bombardier offers the industry’s most complete portfolio of light rail solutions with a strong reputation for performance and reliability. To date, more than 3,500 Bombardier trams and LRVs are in revenue service or on order in approximately 100 cities across Europe, Australia and North America.
The newest tram vehicle from Bombardier, the FLEXITY 2, is planned for display during InnoTrans 2012 this September in Berlin, Germany.